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Democracy & Civic Engagement

Democracy thrives when informed, active, and humane citizens coexist with institutions that uphold the rule of law and shared values. Yet we see every day how fragile democracy can be. Investigate cornerstones of successful democracies, including religious freedom, a free press, media literacy, and living with difference.

Many students are considering participating in the national school walkouts to protest gun violence following the Parkland, Florida school shooting. Use our new teaching idea to explore the rich history of youth activism from the 1960s to present day. You'll prepare them to think critically as they examine current events through a historical lens and equip them with tools and strategies to engage in difficult conversations.

How do youth think about their own privacy and that of others as they post photos and comments on social media? To what extent do they think about the ethical dimensions of the digital content (music, text, video) that they share? How do they respond to routine displays of disrespect and incivility that characterize dialogue in many online spaces?